While studying filmmaking at USC, Zemeckis met kindred soul and future screenwriting partner Bob Gale. While many of their peers genuflected before European art films, the Two Bobs grooved to American genre fare. The team made their feature debut with I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND (1978), a cheery romp about early Beatlemania, with Zemeckis directing and Steven Spielberg debuting as executive producer. They also collaborated on the script of 1941 (1979), Spielberg's poorly received WWII comedy. Neither their first film nor their enjoyably adolescent followup USED CARS (1980) stimulated much box-office action; they did, though, get the attention of Michael Douglas, who hired Zemeckis to helm the hit romantic adventure, ROMANCING THE STONE (1984).
With Gale producing and co-writing, Zemeckis directed the immensely popular, clever, and surprisingly poignant BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985) and its two time-traveling sequels (1989, 1990) for Amblin Entertainment. In between the first and second BACK TO THE FUTURE installments, the duo created "Go to the Head of the Class" (NBC, 1986), a darkly comic hour-long installment of Steven Spielberg's fantasy anthology series "Amazing Stories". This memorable outing featured Christopher Lloyd and Mary Stuart Masterson in a tale co-written by Gale and directed by Zemeckis. He and Gale also provided a surprisingly hard-boiled action script for Walter Hill's riveting TRESPASS (1992).
Without his partner, Zemeckis crafted WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (1988), a bravura example of integrating live action with animation and a major blockbuster for Disney and Amblin. He has also branched out into producing for network TV ("Johnny Bago", CBS 1993) and features (THE PUBLIC EYE, 1992). After the relative commercial disappointment of DEATH BECOMES HER (1992) -- a gruesome comic showcase for Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, and Oscar-winning FX -- Zemeckis took on an unusual project. With the sometimes fanciful and often moving comedy-drama FORREST GUMP (1994), the skillful toymaker proved that he could successfully tackle a large-scale story that foregrounded human elements. Adapted from the book by Winston Groom, the film has been described as essentially a picaresque novel for the screen as it covers three tumultuous decades in the life of America as seen through the innocent eyes of a child-like Southerner. Tom Hanks delivered a bravura performance in this critical and commercial hit which seamlessly integrated special effects within a realistic storyline. For his efforts Zemeckis was rewarded with the DGA award for best director and his first Oscar®.
More recent producing/directing credits include CONTACT (1997), WHAT LIES BENEATH and CAST AWAY (both 2000), THE POLAR EXPRESS (2004), BEOWULF (2007) and A CHRISTMAS CAROL (scheduled for 2009, also writer). He produced THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (1999), RITUAL and THIRT3EN GHOSTS (both 2001), GHOST SHIP (2002), GOTHIKA (2003), HOUSE OF WAX and THE PRIZE WINNER OF DEFIANCE, OHIO (both 2005) and THE REAPING (2007). Zemeckis was executive producer of MATCHSTICK MEN (2003) and LAST HOLIDAY and MONSTER HOUSE (both 2006).
Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay written directly for the screen) 1985: BACK TO THE FUTURE (w. Bob Gale)
Best Achievement in Directing 1994: FORREST GUMP
2 nominations, 1 Award